b'founder and CEO of Beaverton- of the new Ghanian program.based EAI InformationIts a powerful reminder that Gift From SOU Alumni Leads Systemsa computer softwarepeace and progress begin with to Partnerships in Ghana company that helps banks,collaboration, and that the next brokers and insurancegeneration is ready to lead us companies track and managethere, she said.A couple who gained a globalSOU and one of the Ghaniantheir investments. EmmanuellaThe Essiehs project is perspective and the academicuniversities that will include aEssieh, who is from Nigeria,intended to foster cultural foundation for success fromtwo-week, reciprocal exchangeearned a bachelors degree inexchange by providing students their education at SOU areprogram during the 2026-27business at SOU in 1982, andopportunities to collaborate funding a pilot project toacademic year. is the cofounder and presidentwith peers from around the provide similar opportunities forThe project is being funded byof KMJ Asset Managementaworld, embracing differences others, through a partnershipa grant from the Essieh Familyresidential property investmentwhile working together to solve between SOU and a pair ofFoundation, a philanthropicand management firm inhands-on business problems. universities in the Africanentity established by alumniPortland. The interactions between country of Ghana. Matt and Emmanuella Essieh,The online and in-personstudents from SOU and the The program began this aca- who met as internationalexchange program is the first ofGhanian universities could demic year with Collaborativestudents at SOU.its kind for students in Ghana;result in changed perspectives Online International LearningThanks to my education atSOU students can participateand transformative life (COIL) partnerships betweenSOU, my worldview was greatlyin a similar program with theexperiencesparticularly for SOU and PALM Universityexpanded, Matt Essieh said.Universidad de Guanajuato. students from rural areas.College in Kordiabe, Ghana,With the success Ive beenOur partnership with GhanaMy hope is to give students and Catholic University ofblessed with, the time has comereflects whats possible whenthe experience of collaborating Ghana, in Sunyani. Recentlyfor me to pay it forward. education transcends borders,with each other across the signed memoranda of under- Matt Essieh, who is fromsaid Dee Fretwell Carreon, theworld, Matt Essieh said. It standing for those partnershipsGhana, earned a bachelorsdirector for SOUs Center forwill give them the opportunity are preliminary steps toward adegree in business in 1982 andContinuing and Professionalto learn, appreciate and respect shared business course betweenan MBA in 1983, and is theEducation, and is also directoreach others cultures.world, provides opportunities for students to network and gain realistic professional insights, according to Yamaguchi. Its very sharing-focused. The speakers talk about the inspiring parts of their work as well as the harsh realities, said Yamaguchi. Students come away with a much stronger sense of what a career in their field involves.While at the conference, students heard from the creators of the film Wicked and were given a sneak preview of the upcoming movie sequel. They learned about animation from creators of the Netflix film, K-Pop Demon Hunters, and puppetry and art from the creators of the live-action Lilo & A New VIEW on the WorldStitch film. In October, ten students enrolled in SOUsIn addition to panels and presentations by experts, the Communication 399 class traveled to Turin, Italy, toconference also offered a job fair. Students were able to attend the annual VIEW Conference. The conferencehave their portfolios reviewed by representatives from Sony offered students an opportunity to participate inAnimation, said Yamaguchi. Its such a wonderful experience. discussions and workshops on topics such as animation,The conference organizers made sure everyone had access to the games, cinema, virtual production, storytelling, andmaster-classes, workshops, and recruitment events.immersive media. Theres something for everyone here,Yamaguchi has been leading trips to the conference said Communication Professor Precious Yamaguchi,periodically since 2011, with the last trip in 2017. Yamaguchi who led the week-long trip. We have students fromsaid SOU is the only US school at the conference. Im Communications, Digital Cinema, EMDA, Creativeso proud of our class, she said. I cant think of better Writing, and Music. Its really exciting. representatives for the US. They are so curious and The conference, which draws industry professionals,compassionate and thoughtful. You know, typical SOU artists, instructors, and enthusiasts from around thestudents. 18 NEWS FROM SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY'